Rumors tonight have Craig MacTavish in the final group under consideration for the Ottawa Senators coaching job. Should MacT win the day, could that impact the 2011 draft board and inspire a trade or two between Ottawa and Edmonton?

Craig MacTavish has been loyal to most of his players since leaving the Oiler organization, to the point of a painful television moment this past winter where he defended Shawn Horcoff as a capable option in many circumstances. I've long felt that Craig MacTavish was an excellent coach who stayed too long at the fair in Edmonton and lost the veterans on the club. Much of that likely came from his very public rips of Dustin Penner, which continue unabated by others on the left coast.

MacT left some fine players in Edmonton, men he'd come to count on. Many of his foot soldiers have been sent down the line (Moreau, Staios, etc), but there are a few still living in Edmonton.

Remember 2006?

Among the 2006 Oilers, center Shawn Horcoff (always a MacT favorite) and winger Ales Hemsky remain. Both would be helpful additions to the Ottawa Senators, but that team is also in building mode so would be unlikely to add either player.

MacT's Rookies

From fall 2000 through the day MacT stepped down as coach, a lot of kids graduated to the show under his watch. Some, like Daniel Cleary and Raffi Torres, came from other organizations. Others were Oilers draft picks and through his years on the job MacTavish displayed an admirable quality: pedigree didn't count for much.

MacT's list of rookies is a long one and they displayed a wide variety of skills. He played Sam Gagner the most among rookie forwards, Steve MacIntyre the least. The 07-08 group was probably the best (Gagner, Cogliano, Brodziak, Gilbert, etc) and 05-06 didn't have much to offer as the veteran team tracked destiny.

Here are 5 current Oilers I can see coach MacT asking his GM to acquire:

Tom Gilbert: Still an effective defenseman but may have outstayed his welcome in Edmonton. The Senators could use an effective finesse defender and Gilbert could be available.

Andrew Cogliano: The double whammy here, as GM Murray tried to grab Cogs in the Dany Heatley deal. Cogliano no doubt pleased coach Renney so it might be a no-go from Edmonton, but one imagines he'll ask.

Ladislav Smid: As with Cogliano, Murray attempted to acquire Smid in the Heatley trade a couple of whiskey sour's ago. Ottawa is building a tight blue line, perhaps Smid would be an effective role player.

Zack Stortini: Stortini played his best NHL hockey under MacT and could be a solid 13-14F for the veteran coach. Added value: with Stortini on the roster, there's one guy who'll always have your back.

JF Jacques: Laugh at your peril. MacT gave him a job and then give him chance after chance to establish himself in the National Hockey League.

What's coming back?

Ottawa has a few things that Edmonton would find attractive. Along with draft picks (Sens want to trade up btw), Edmonton might like the looks of men like Chris Neil, prospect Jared Cowen, Bobby Butler and Colin Greening.

I don't think much will come of this, maybe a Stortini trade for a depth pick. Still, should MacT get the job it makes sense that the Senators might come knocking and ask after some of his former players.

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Horcoff can't be sent to the minors until after the 2012-2013 season. If his contract is a burden at that time (the kids will need to resigned) then I expect he will be traded or sent down. Until then I suspect he will stay an Oiler.

Always thought he could be sent down simply by clearing waivers. I won't argue your point, you may know more about the CBA than i do.

The sad part of this argument is that Horcoff is the best center right now when he's not injured.

At this point you're correct Obbie, he's pretty much all we got when he's healthy. I'm just hoping the Oilers take a step(or two) towards pushing him down in the lineup and eventually out of the picture. I think after 5 yrs of this futility and the fact that he's still the Oilers No.1 center, along with the money issue, is what makes him such a desirable target.

It's Friday Obbie, lets not fight, see what happens at the draft in two weeks, and then, we can bring out all of our blunt instruments to beat ourselves up again.

Yes. Actually. Horcoff has special immunity. It's called a No Movement Clause. He has one.

You really think Horcoff would veto a trade that would reunite him with MacTavish? Perhaps a change scenery would be good for Horcoff. I'm sure he would be the first guy to tell you he hasn't performed as expected after signing that huge contract.

Like I said, Horcoff to Ottawa is probably the only window we'll get when it comes to moving him.

If MacTavish gets the job, I would hope Tambellini would be pretty aggressive trying to find Horc a home in the nations capital.

If the Bruins had Horcoff they wouldn't have traded for Kelly a the deadline this season, and if the Canucks had Horcoff then they probably wouldn't have offered Malhotra a contract in the last offseason. I'm constantly amazed when people around here can't seem to get past the contract Horcoff signed and use that as their major argument to criticize him.

Horcoff signed that contract 2 weeks after Katz officially became owner of the team, and Katz was incredibly smart to sign him to it. It sent a message to the community that he wasn't going to let Oilers all-stars, which Horcoff was in 2008, walk away because another team was going to pay them more. It signaled to me at least that the Oilers finally had an owner that wasn't going to be content with having a team that scraped and clawed and looked at finishing 8th as a massive achievement and something to be proud of, because it's not.

I'm sure that when this extension was signed it was imagined that when it was all said and done Gagner would be an emerging if not full emerged elite #1 C who would be worthy of making 7mil+ per season based on his incredibly strong 07-08 rookie season. Now that 3 years have passed and the Oilers have a future superstar on their team (Hall) who is going to be worth more than that in the NHL market by 14-15 it's a moot point.

Signing Horcoff to that contract also sent and should continue to send a message to every Oilers player not drafted in the top 10 or even in the 1st round, that if they bust their ass and work hard at their game like Horcoff has their entire career they will be rewarded for it and treated like a superstar regardless of whether they are drafted 1st overall or 99th. Horcoff can fairly identify with and relate to every forward in the organization right now since he had to earn everything he's gotten in the NHL. He can talk to a young player drafted in the mid-rounds from his experience there and tell them how to view a demotion to the AHL as a chance to grow and improve amongst other things, and he can also tell and advise the younger generation of players what it's like to play at an all-star level against the best competition every other team in the NHL can throw at you night in and night out.

Wanting to get rid of an asset like Horcoff for anything at this point is near insanity to me, because without him it's even more unfair to Gagner, Cogliano, and if they draft him RNH to ask and expect of them to learn to become winners and champions in this league without any real guidance or any veteran presence to act as both a leader to them on and off the ice.

Now as far as the actual topic of this post goes, if the Oilers could get any draft pick for Stortini's or Jacques rights then I'd suggest taking it, since I don't think that they fit into Coach Renney's vision of the team he wants assembled. If you can't get any value for them, then hopefully they work their butts off over the summer and make the team outright in the fall, or else they are 2 pretty decent AHL players to have on the farm team.

At this point you're correct Obbie, he's pretty much all we got when he's healthy. I'm just hoping the Oilers take a step(or two) towards pushing him down in the lineup and eventually out of the picture. I think after 5 yrs of this futility and the fact that he's still the Oilers No.1 center, along with the money issue, is what makes him such a desirable target.

It's Friday Obbie, lets not fight, see what happens at the draft in two weeks, and then, we can bring out all of our blunt instruments to beat ourselves up again.

If you know something, and everyone else is wrong about it . . . maybe it's time to start exploring the idea that everyone else isn't where the problem lies.

You know as well as i do, as soon as the Oilers have something better happening down the middle, Katz won't hesitate to make that business decision to finally turf Horcoff. It's not a matter of if, it's only a matter of when Ender.

It seems lately the fad is away from the rookie coaches from the AHL (except for the NYI, beat of their own cheap drum), experienced playoff coaches are in vogue again.
MacT is a heck of a playoff coach. I'd take him back as an assistant any day.

At this point you're correct Obbie, he's pretty much all we got when he's healthy. I'm just hoping the Oilers take a step(or two) towards pushing him down in the lineup and eventually out of the picture. I think after 5 yrs of this futility and the fact that he's still the Oilers No.1 center, along with the money issue, is what makes him such a desirable target.

It's Friday Obbie, lets not fight, see what happens at the draft in two weeks, and then, we can bring out all of our blunt instruments to beat ourselves up again.

Horcoff,Smid and the 19th to MacTavish's Senators for Jason Spezza.

That's probably not enough for Spezza even though the 19th pick would help them with their rebuild... Why would they want Horcoff's bad contract?? You'd probably have to dish up Gagner, MPS, Smid and the 19th for Ottawa to even consider that trade... And that would be way too much for me...

Question to you - would you rather win 28 to 30 games this year and finish about 25th overall or win 32 to 35 and finish about 20th?? I get the impression from your posts that you want to win now and have no patience for this rebuild.. To me - to build a sustaining, winning culture - we need to build through the draft and not chase high priced FA's right now... That 'chasing' will happen in two/three more years when we're a legit playoff contending team...

You know as well as i do, as soon as the Oilers have something better happening down the middle, Katz won't hesitate to make that business decision to finally turf Horcoff. It's not a matter of if, it's only a matter of when Ender.

Yes the coundown to the end of the 2014-2015 season has already begun.

You know as well as i do, as soon as the Oilers have something better happening down the middle, Katz won't hesitate to make that business decision to finally turf Horcoff. It's not a matter of if, it's only a matter of when Ender.

Don't count on it. Self-made billionaires tend to make a minimum of poor business decisions.

Not saying Spezza is the answer to what's going on here now, just suggesting a way that may entice a rebuilding team to take him on.

Answer to your question- there's no denying this coming year's going to be another dogs breakfast. I'd rather watch it having Hopkins,Couturier and Gudbranson in the fold, anyone not named Hall and Eberle may be used as bait. Add a few more 18 and 19 yr olds and see if there's some chemistry. We don't need Hemsky,Gagner,Smid,Brule,Gilbert etc just so we can finish deadlast again.

Let these kids grow together as a group, i'm sure 3 or 4 out of that group of 5 will turn into impact players inside of two yrs. Anything that doesn't/isn't going to mesh with this group needs to be jettisoned. We're back to square one again but things really are this bad here right now. Sell the farm and add to this all important Hall and Eberle group now while there's still a chance. Adding one boobie prize every year isn't going to cut it.

If the Bruins had Horcoff they wouldn't have traded for Kelly a the deadline this season, and if the Canucks had Horcoff then they probably wouldn't have offered Malhotra a contract in the last offseason. I'm constantly amazed when people around here can't seem to get past the contract Horcoff signed and use that as their major argument to criticize him.

Horcoff signed that contract 2 weeks after Katz officially became owner of the team, and Katz was incredibly smart to sign him to it. It sent a message to the community that he wasn't going to let Oilers all-stars, which Horcoff was in 2008, walk away because another team was going to pay them more. It signaled to me at least that the Oilers finally had an owner that wasn't going to be content with having a team that scraped and clawed and looked at finishing 8th as a massive achievement and something to be proud of, because it's not.

I'm sure that when this extension was signed it was imagined that when it was all said and done Gagner would be an emerging if not full emerged elite #1 C who would be worthy of making 7mil+ per season based on his incredibly strong 07-08 rookie season. Now that 3 years have passed and the Oilers have a future superstar on their team (Hall) who is going to be worth more than that in the NHL market by 14-15 it's a moot point.

Signing Horcoff to that contract also sent and should continue to send a message to every Oilers player not drafted in the top 10 or even in the 1st round, that if they bust their ass and work hard at their game like Horcoff has their entire career they will be rewarded for it and treated like a superstar regardless of whether they are drafted 1st overall or 99th. Horcoff can fairly identify with and relate to every forward in the organization right now since he had to earn everything he's gotten in the NHL. He can talk to a young player drafted in the mid-rounds from his experience there and tell them how to view a demotion to the AHL as a chance to grow and improve amongst other things, and he can also tell and advise the younger generation of players what it's like to play at an all-star level against the best competition every other team in the NHL can throw at you night in and night out.

Wanting to get rid of an asset like Horcoff for anything at this point is near insanity to me, because without him it's even more unfair to Gagner, Cogliano, and if they draft him RNH to ask and expect of them to learn to become winners and champions in this league without any real guidance or any veteran presence to act as both a leader to them on and off the ice.

Now as far as the actual topic of this post goes, if the Oilers could get any draft pick for Stortini's or Jacques rights then I'd suggest taking it, since I don't think that they fit into Coach Renney's vision of the team he wants assembled. If you can't get any value for them, then hopefully they work their butts off over the summer and make the team outright in the fall, or else they are 2 pretty decent AHL players to have on the farm team.

Best post I've read in a long time. A healthy dose of reality and perspective all too often missing here.

Not saying Spezza is the answer to what's going on here now, just suggesting a way that may entice a rebuilding team to take him on.

Answer to your question- there's no denying this coming year's going to be another dogs breakfast. I'd rather watch it having Hopkins,Couturier and Gudbranson in the fold, anyone not named Hall and Eberle may be used as bait. Add a few more 18 and 19 yr olds and see if there's some chemistry. We don't need Hemsky,Gagner,Smid,Brule,Gilbert etc just so we can finish deadlast again.

Let these kids grow together as a group, i'm sure 3 or 4 out of that group of 5 will turn into impact players inside of two yrs. Anything that doesn't/isn't going to mesh with this group needs to be jettisoned. We're back to square one again but things really are this bad here right now. Sell the farm and add to this all important Hall and Eberle group now while there's still a chance. Adding one boobie prize every year isn't going to cut it.

I think you'll get your wish... There's probably going to be at least another two/three 18 to 20 year old skaters in this year's line up to go along with Hall & co.. I'm speculating that would be RNH and Lander... It'd be nice to get another stud rookie but I don't know if Tambo has enough cards in his hand (outside of Hemsky) to move up into the top 10...

But to add chemistry - you can't continually jettison everything that doesn't immediately mesh... You need to give it time.. I have no arguments with you that the group of Gagner/Smid/Brule/Gilbert needs to be upgraded - but we aren't going to do that in one quick swoop... There aren't enough quality FA's out there that would be willing to come here... That means we'll need to add one piece here at a time, through quality draft picks and the progression of our current group. Trades won't be an immediate fix either - many would like to think other teams would give up quality players; but we forget - if we have a problem with a Brule or Gilbert; why would a better team wish to inherit those problems?? In order to pass those problems along - then we're giving up draft picks - which gets us exactly back to where we started...

If the Bruins had Horcoff they wouldn't have traded for Kelly a the deadline this season, and if the Canucks had Horcoff then they probably wouldn't have offered Malhotra a contract in the last offseason. I'm constantly amazed when people around here can't seem to get past the contract Horcoff signed and use that as their major argument to criticize him.

Horcoff signed that contract 2 weeks after Katz officially became owner of the team, and Katz was incredibly smart to sign him to it. It sent a message to the community that he wasn't going to let Oilers all-stars, which Horcoff was in 2008, walk away because another team was going to pay them more. It signaled to me at least that the Oilers finally had an owner that wasn't going to be content with having a team that scraped and clawed and looked at finishing 8th as a massive achievement and something to be proud of, because it's not.

I'm sure that when this extension was signed it was imagined that when it was all said and done Gagner would be an emerging if not full emerged elite #1 C who would be worthy of making 7mil+ per season based on his incredibly strong 07-08 rookie season. Now that 3 years have passed and the Oilers have a future superstar on their team (Hall) who is going to be worth more than that in the NHL market by 14-15 it's a moot point.

Signing Horcoff to that contract also sent and should continue to send a message to every Oilers player not drafted in the top 10 or even in the 1st round, that if they bust their ass and work hard at their game like Horcoff has their entire career they will be rewarded for it and treated like a superstar regardless of whether they are drafted 1st overall or 99th. Horcoff can fairly identify with and relate to every forward in the organization right now since he had to earn everything he's gotten in the NHL. He can talk to a young player drafted in the mid-rounds from his experience there and tell them how to view a demotion to the AHL as a chance to grow and improve amongst other things, and he can also tell and advise the younger generation of players what it's like to play at an all-star level against the best competition every other team in the NHL can throw at you night in and night out.

Wanting to get rid of an asset like Horcoff for anything at this point is near insanity to me, because without him it's even more unfair to Gagner, Cogliano, and if they draft him RNH to ask and expect of them to learn to become winners and champions in this league without any real guidance or any veteran presence to act as both a leader to them on and off the ice.

Now as far as the actual topic of this post goes, if the Oilers could get any draft pick for Stortini's or Jacques rights then I'd suggest taking it, since I don't think that they fit into Coach Renney's vision of the team he wants assembled. If you can't get any value for them, then hopefully they work their butts off over the summer and make the team outright in the fall, or else they are 2 pretty decent AHL players to have on the farm team.

Like the Bruins or the Canucks are going to put a 5.5 cap hit on their forth line. The Bruins/Canucks are where they are today, because they never made a dumb decision like the Oilers did on #10.....gimme a break. In 2 yrs Horcoff will be forth line here as well, think the Oilers will be willing to swallow that when cap space is at a premium?

The Oilers are a moving target, what seemed to be an ideal signing by Katz in 08 has come full circle and is now an albatross to this franchise.

Whatever it is you're trying to sell, i ain't buying it buddy. Sure didn't take Katz that long to make his first mistake. Guess it goes to show the kid on the block with the most money isn't always the smartest when it comes to hockey decisions.

Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle had really nice rookie seasons in both the counting numbers and scoring chances. It is worth noting however that they were giving a ton of chances back to their opponents, but only when Shawn Horcoff wasn't on the ice with them. Horcoff's all-around ability and defensive prowess really helped the two young forwards find their way.

There is an argument for both for and against Horcoff. Yes he is over paid (grossly I might add) and is therefore un-tradable, so like it or not he is most likely here to stay.

Horcoff is being over used by the coaching staff because of the lack of talent at center the club has.

Horcoff should be on the 2nd power play not the 1st, actually should not even be on the PP.

Horcoff should not be on the 1st line, he should be on the 3rd, in a checking role one he is good at. Horcoff should be on the penalty kill, but should not have 20+ minutes a game.

Horcoff is playing big minutes for what his role should be which is a checking center. This would explain IMO why his plus/minus sucked so bad, Why he gets injured often and his role is to expansive for what he’s good at.

There is an argument for both for and against Horcoff. Yes he is over paid (grossly I might add) and is therefore un-tradable, so like it or not he is most likely here to stay.

Horcoff is being over used by the coaching staff because of the lack of talent at center the club has.

Horcoff should be on the 2nd power play not the 1st, actually should not even be on the PP.

Horcoff should not be on the 1st line, he should be on the 3rd, in a checking role one he is good at. Horcoff should be on the penalty kill, but should not have 20+ minutes a game.

Horcoff is playing big minutes for what his role should be which is a checking center. This would explain IMO why his plus/minus sucked so bad, Why he gets injured often and his role is to expansive for what he’s good at.

Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle had really nice rookie seasons in both the counting numbers and scoring chances. It is worth noting however that they were giving a ton of chances back to their opponents, but only when Shawn Horcoff wasn't on the ice with them. Horcoff's all-around ability and defensive prowess really helped the two young forwards find their way.

The tough thing is that most of the guys that we want to get rid of are either d-men or centers. We have nobody really ready to step up at either position. Still, if we don't shuffle at least a few players around then we will still be on the outside looking in going forward.

Silliness is wanting to get rid of your best center, especially on a team with only one.

Horc's the hardest worker and a great captain, but he's a little over his head in the #1 role some nights. Put him at #2, and he'd be one of your favorite Oilers (as he was in 2008, when he had some help down the middle).

I think Horcoff's biggest mistake was playing that season with injuries (was it 2009?) which limited his effectiveness. But he didn't stand down, he dug deep and put a lot of heart into everything he did.

So let's do a poll - how many trollers here would refuse the contract that he was offered in 2008? Hmmmm? Maybe just a show of hands would suffice...

Here's my big concern about Horcs: an article a few years back mentioned that he's best buddies with Katz. That's a dangerous dynamic to have on a team, IMO.

Quicksilver Ballet wrote with reference to Horcoff: "...he's pretty much all we got when he's healthy." Can't agree more.

If the Oilers are in a serious rebuilding mode, there is a major problem at centre, how do you build on a crumbling foundation? The situation is equally bad on defence.

I wish MacTavish all the best in his pursuit of returning to the NHL as a head coach.

As for the owner, it is not unusual for successful businessmen to experience repeated brain cramps when they buy into professional sports, e.g. Washington Redskins, Jerry Jones etc, etc. If the owner was so smart, why is Lowe and Tambelinni still around? Why have the Oilers missed the playoffs five seasons running? Why have the Oilers ended in last place the last two seasons? Why did Tambi sign the teams MVP Khabibulin?

Horcoff has earned respect and his contract. bloody if it wasn't for the frakin injuries he would have led this team in scoring last year. MacT deserves another shot. He is a capable coach.Penner? See Dean Lombardi's comments last month. The Oilers were a team in transition at the end of MacT's tenure. He deserved better than what he recieved from alot of the players. But as with all things it was time to move on. At this point Horcoff's value to the Oilers is not in goals and assists but in his leadership. This team needs him to lead generation next. Hall and Eberle need his experience. They need his leadership on and off the ice. he is the bridge for a whole new generation of Oilers. as was Kelly Buchberger and Ryan Smyth(Who the Oilers should bring back). Good luck to MacT.

Moving Horcoff doesn't solve anything. He is NOT a liability... He just isn't first line for a chmpionship team.

For now he will do, then put him on line two when the number one C is filled.

He was one of the better Oilers last year. I ain't a fanboy either.

Look at what you've written there Cruzer, as i go from left to right on each line i can't believe it's come to this for our Oilers here in Edmonton. Shawn Horcoff is a great first line center if we're in the American Hockey League Cruzer. It's a sad state, but he's our undisputed No.1 center on our NHL hockey club for half a season if we're fortunate. It's sad we're even grovelling over this? We're the weakest team at the center ice position in both the NHL and AHL. Sell whatever we can and get the two decent kids we have as much help as possible this summer. Lets not kid ourselves anymore, we suck.

@ QSB. Tsk tsk. Ballard was a far bigger 'mistake' then Horcoff, 7 years for a 34 Y/O with concussion history is no screaming hell of a deal. Heck, both Widman and Ryder have been considerd horrible contracts at times and just last yea Thomas was considerd to have one of the worst contracts in the league.

Look at what you've written there Cruzer, as i go from left to right on each line i can't believe it's come to this for our Oilers here in Edmonton. Shawn Horcoff is a great first line center if we're in the American Hockey League Cruzer. It's a sad state, but he's our undisputed No.1 center on our NHL hockey club for half a season if we're fortunate. It's sad we're even grovelling over this? We're the weakest team at the center ice position in both the NHL and AHL. Sell whatever we can and get the two decent kids we have as much help as possible this summer. Lets not kid ourselves anymore, we suck.

Nobody is kidding themselves. i think the consensus is that Horc is not a #1. Everyone agrees that for the Oilers to be a contender, there has to be an upgrade at center.

The problem is the reality of the situation. We don't currently have the assets to trade for one unless you are trading Hall, Eberle, or PRV. Even then, I doubt there are the assets to trade for the #1.

Free agency is the only other route, and unless The Oil are looking to throw $12M a year at someone, that #1C won't sign here if they can sign in Van, or Tampa, or LA, etc...

The draft and development is the only real option at this point. It isn't a case of being complacent or dithering. It is working with what you have to work with.

@ QSB. Tsk tsk. Ballard was a far bigger 'mistake' then Horcoff, 7 years for a 34 Y/O with concussion history is no screaming hell of a deal. Heck, both Widman and Ryder have been considerd horrible contracts at times and just last yea Thomas was considerd to have one of the worst contracts in the league.

There's still a role for Horcoff on this hockey club, unfortunately it's just not as the first or second line center. For 5 yrs we've watched Horcoff have more and more weight put on his shoulders. It's easy to see he's failed as the No.1 center here, but i'm not saying he's failed as a hockey player. Get the guy some help, a couple kids in the 1 and 2 role, he's shown his body can't handle the wear and tear anymore. If he's expected to continue as is, i think he'll be done playing in two yrs. With #10 expected to carry the role of the first line center, we'll suck more than ever this coming year. Like Gilbert was last season in the #1 blueliner role, Shawn is miscast as a top 3 player.

@ QSB. I take no issue with that (though I think he's got another year or so as a resonable 2C). It will be a good day to be an Oiler fan when their are 2 clear cut better centers. An even better day when their are 4 superior centers.